Summary of Stephen Brookfield on Critical and Creative Thinking

Stephen Brookfield started talking about his background on his college and professional experience. Also, he believes that he can prepare students who fail exams because he knows  how it feels from his own experience. He expressed that he became an applied student was in his doctor's degree. During the video, he talks about what is being critical and creative.Also, how to practice critical reflection and he gives expert insights and practical tools to construct critical thinking. According to Stephen, someone who thinks critically can identify assumptions behind thinking and actions, check assumptions for accuracy and validity.Stephen defined critical thinking as a process by which we become aware of the assumptions that frame the ways we think. Also, the way we think about life and decisions. He gave some examples of assumptions about his clinical depression and not being racist. Finally, he explained how is critical thinking learned and some strategies that we can use within the classroom to promote critical and creative thinking.

1. How does Michael Sandel support the thesis that "over the past three decades we have drifted from having a market economy to becoming a market society?

A market economy is a tool;  it's a valuable and effective tool for organizing productive activity. A market society is different. A market society is a place; it's a way of life where market relations and market values come to dominate all aspects of life where just about everything is up for sale.

    2. What sorts of arguments are offered for and against the assumed proposal            of      paying young children two dollars for every book they read?

Indeed, says Sandel, that’s what experts disagree on as well: Will cash incentives drive out the higher motivation, to learn and read? It turns out the cash for good grades programs had very mixed results, while the $2 to read books was successful. Sort of. Students did read more books , but they read shorter ones.

   3.  Now, what is your standpoint about cash incentives at school or at home to            encourage students to read more books?

We can incentive students  with a good comment, motivating them and challenging with activities and also picking interesting books for them.

  4.  When Michael Sandel contends that "this tendency of markets and cash         incentives of crowding out nonmarket goods, higher goods, can be seen in may     spheres of social life, what sort of "higher goods" do you think he is refering to?

Teaching, learning,education, engaging in civic life, things that money can't buy.

 5.  What kind of nonmaterial goods do you think have been crowded out by       market transactions in Colombia?

Politics, religion and education.

 6. What should be the role of money and markets in our Colombian society?

The role of money and markets in our society is to make our economy grow and improve different fields in our society.

Reflection on Critical Thinking

Emotional Self-management:

For me, the emotions that are most difficult to manage when others disagree with me are insecurity of my point of views, because I tend to beleive that what I'm saying is not correct or that my arguments are not valid enough.Also, there are sometimes that being in disagree with other people make me feel frustated on not having strong arguments to persuade them or make them to be in agreement with my point of view. However, I deal with these by talking to myself that everyone is different  and could have different point of views, it depends on what is your background knowlegde, your beliefs and context.

Influences on My Thinking:

The influences on my own thinking that I need to be most aware of so they don't prejudice my thinking are my beliefs on politics because sometimes people try to persuade me, but I need to belief on what I think is correct and don't affect people's integity.

Challenging Opinions:

I find most difficult about challenging the opinions of other people are to make them understan or consider my point of views because I'm an open-minded person.I deal with these by respecting people's opinions, also beacause I know that their arguments are strongly shaped by where they grew up, the people they grew up with, and how they were educated.

Reflection:
For me Bodner's description of students may happen on some students, however I think that the theory  that we learn within the classrooms is important as well as to putting in practice in our professional field and see if  this works in our context and student's needs.

Barriers Reflection:
A barrier that is affecting my critical thinking abilities is the reluctance to critise those with more expertise, because I tend to believe that I have not study in depth certain phenomenon and I can't  be in agreement or disagreement. However, sometimes I try to ask myself if I'm agree with their arguments and later on discuss it with some of my classmates.